Lorenzo Micelli appointed head coach of the Swedish women’s national team

A historic World Championship appearance and both the Golden European League Final Four and EuroVolley on home soil! Sweden’s successful women’s national team faces two highly exciting seasons ahead, with the highly experienced Italian Lorenzo Micelli taking the helm as their new head coach, effective immediately.

“I feel pride! Being appointed as the head coach of the Swedish women’s national team is a great honour. It is a wonderful and exciting challenge, and there are many reasons why I am taking on it. Firstly, it is about the team and the players I will have the opportunity to work with; there is a special light and energy around this group. Secondly, it is about the upcoming World Championship and the chance to compete in the Golden League Final Four and EuroVolley on Swedish soil, in front of our supporters. It will be an incredible experience, one that we all look forward to and will make the most of, both on and off the court,” says Micelli, adding: “I am fully committed to this and want to help grow the sport and take this national team forward on its developmental journey. I believe in the project and will give everything for the girls, the national team, and Swedish Volleyball.” 

Lorenzo takes on the head coach role with extensive expertise and an impressive track record. For over 20 years, the 54-year-old has served as head coach at the highest European level. First in his home country, Italy, where he led Volley BERGAMO to two Champions League titles in 2009 and 2010. He then moved to Türkiye, where he spent four seasons coaching the super club Eczacıbaşı, guiding them to five domestic trophies. His journey continued with top clubs in Poland and France, where he secured additional cup and league titles.

Along the way, he also gained significant experience with national teams. Over the course of eight years and two Olympic cycles, he served as assistant coach for his native Italy, a Volleyball powerhouse. More recently, he was the head coach for the women’s national teams of Estonia and Bulgaria. From 2022 to 2024, he led Bulgaria to a top eight finish in the 2023 EuroVolley and a historic result in the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Nations League.

“An incredible asset” 

Currently, Micelli is in the midst of a heated club season with Greek powerhouse Olympiacos PIRAEUS, who are currently leading their league with 17 wins out of 18 matches. 

“We are delighted and proud to announce Lorenzo Micelli as the new head coach of the women’s national team. His achievements at both club and national team level speak for themselves. With his vast knowledge and broad experience, he will be an incredible asset as the team takes the next step in its development and faces exciting new challenges, including their first-ever World Championship appearance and two major tournaments on home soil,” says Swedish Volleyball Federation Sports Director Angelica Ljungqvist, who led the recruitment process.

The Swedish women’s national team has gone from strength to strength in recent years. Notable achievements include two consecutive EuroVolley appearances, including an unprecedented 8th place in 2021, Silver League gold in 2022, and Golden League silver in 2023. This success was further extended with a historic Golden League triumph in 2024, along with qualification for the 2025 World Championship in Thailand – the first-ever for Sweden in the women’s game. The horizon also holds the CEV EuroVolley 2026, where Sweden will host one of the four preliminary groups in Scandinavium, Gothenburg.

These successes have resonated throughout the volleyball world, which is evident in the recruitment process for the new head coach, as Ljungqvist remarks: “The work has been ambitious and thorough, taking the time needed. It feels great to see the level of interest in coaching our women’s national team; many prestigious names were drawn to the opportunity. Together with Lorenzo, we now want to continue the strong journey that has been made over the past few years. We believe that both the individual players and the team as a whole can continue to grow and take new strides under his leadership. His genuine commitment to this project, and especially to the players, has been evident from our very first conversation.”

Experience the women’s national team!

For those eager to experience the women’s national team on home soil, the wait is nearly over! In May and June 2025, the European Golden League will return, with Sweden’s World Championship-bound volleyball women entering as the reigning champions, playing a total of four matches on Swedish ground.

The opening games will take place at Idrottshuset in Örebro from May 29-31, with Portugal and Romania as the opponents. A month later, on June 28-29, the Final Four - the prestigious culmination of the national team tournament - will take place in Ängelholm. Catena Arena will be transformed from an ice rink into an impenetrable blue-and-yellow Volleyball fortress, setting a new attendance record for Swedish women’s Volleyball. Over 3,300 tickets have already been sold, making it a true “I was there” experience you will not want to miss!

Sweden’s Volleyball women are focused on defending their title, facing some of Europe’s top nations in the sport. During the Final Four weekend, there will be two semi-finals on Saturday, followed by two medal matches on Sunday. For Ängelholm’s very own Isabelle and Anna Haak, the weekend will be especially meaningful – a powerful “homecoming” after their successful journeys across both Europe and North America, wearing both club and national team jerseys.

Tickets for this summer’s Golden League adventure are available at Ticketmaster.se!